I feel so incredibly hopeful and that's an odd feeling for me.

[Erin Elizabeth]

I'm a multi-generation Texan (we go back to before it was even a state). I'm in my late 30s, so I don't much remember the 50+ years of Dem rule in my state.

I haven't had a lot of reasons to feel hopeful in the last eight years or so.

But just today, I woke up feeling really sure about things--I can see a better future for this poor country, under the leadership of better, more capable, more morally strong people, not just people who talk one game and play another.

During the last Dem convention, my daughter was nine. When Obama spoke, neither of us had any idea who he was, but I got goose bumps and a big cry ball in my throat, and my daughter jumped up and said "HE'S the next president!" with a ton of excitement. I swear to God her index finger was pointing in the air when she declared it.

I said, "whoa, slow down, I don't even know who this guy is, besides Kerry's the next president."

Out of the mouths of babes, huh?

She was so excited about the state roll call but she was nine after all, and she fell asleep on the living room floor in the middle of it. I carried her to bed, but she woke up slurring about Kansas and Connecticut.

This time, she's 13. We're planning on watching every minute of it that we can together. And this time, that guy she got so excited about that she jumped off the couch and declared him the next president will be accepting the party's nomination. I think instead of just goose bumps and a cry ball in the throat, there's going to be real tears.

And smiles.

And hope.

[classof56]

1. I have a strong sense of hope, too, and I am strangely calm.

How I am hoping that America's eight-year nightmore is almost over, and there is the possibility my children and grandchildren (14 and 11) may have a future, after all.

Oh, please, let it be so!

Blessings to you and your daughter!

[Erin Elizabeth]

2. Thanks! From your keyboard to God's ears, as they say.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. I am afraid to feel hopeful. I still remember how stunned and devastated I was after

Kerry had the election stolen from him. If I start hoping and the GOP does that again I may have to throw myself off the roof or something because I don't think I can take it for a third time. :cry:

[Erin Elizabeth]

4. I know *exactly* what you mean.

In fact, after November 2004, I completely turned my back on it all. Didn't so much as pay attention to a single thing that was going on politically.

Even this year, with Obama, I knew I liked him but refused to let myself get caught up in really feeling anything about it. I've been sort of robotic.

But yeah, just *this* morning, LOL, I finally felt good about things again. I'm hopeful. Hang in there, greenpartyvoter.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. I knew I wasn't alone. *hugs*

[Booster]

5. Obama was never my first choice, but lately I, too, have had a

hopeful feeling that everything is going to come together and this great country will rise above what has gone so terribly wrong in the last 8 years. I swear, if McCain wins then I will just give up and not pay any attention to what's going on again. I'm 65 and have never been so angry at our government
than I am right now - both sides. The Dems in Wash DC have totally confused me - they, as well as the Republicans, are not listening to the people who elected them, and, worse, they just don't seem to care. Your daughter probably knows more about what's wrong with this country and the average American, and that is truly sad. You raised her right - be proud of yourself for that.

[Erin Elizabeth]

6. I can't even let my mind go there.

A McCain win, that is. I can't even contemplate it. Not only the lost opportunity of betterment that an Obama/Biden administration would bring, but the idea of going down this same damn sorry road for at least another four years. I swear this country can't take it.

Hang on to that hope.